This season, Lincoln United have managed to do something that most Premier League clubs can’t. They’ve got their fans back. Amidst such uncertainty, the club has managed to survive, and are now looking to grow not just as a club, but as a community.
They have had an encouraging start to the season, both competitively and financially. Compared to this time last year, when ex-manager Steve Housham resigned due to “financial difficulties.”
New-look and forward thinking chairman Lee Griffin told The Linc, “We’ve managed to accumulate £50,000 since coming in through sponsorships, grants and donations.” This is largely down to one common denominator, fans. For a non-league club like Lincoln United, fans are so important. That £5 ticket fee on a match day might be just what the club needs to stay in business.
Things looked bleak for the club in March of this year when COVID-19 led to the suspension of all matches around the country, thus stopping any chance for United to earn money when they needed it most. Yet after a change in management and structural ownership of the club, things are beginning to look up.
Manager Sam Wilkinson had this to say about fans returning, “I am really happy that fans are allowed in at non-league level. Clubs like ourselves just can’t survive financially without them. As much as results are always important, it should always be about entertainment and with the current climate, it’s been a big bonus for non-league clubs as the majority of gates are higher than previous years.”
Having lost only twice so far this season, it seems Wilkinson and his men are reaping the benefits of having fans back, as they look to push on for more positive results, with their loyal supporters right behind them.